The Road Less Traveled

A JOURNEY OF 1000 MILES BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP...

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Summer is Flowering All Over! USArtQuest Design Team Project #1

Blog Hop PRIZE!To help celebrate our first design team project, we are so excited to have you participate in the USAQ Blog Hop! To be eligible to win the fabulous prize being offered, you will need to start at the beginning, which is Sarah's blog, and visit each blog on the hop (leave a comment on my blog as well). You must Leave a Comment On Each Designer's Blog by 11:59 EST, Sunday, June 27th. This wonderful prize is a tin filled with the very materials used in these projects! The drawing will take place on Monday, June 28th. Here is a complete list of our design teams blogs (just in case you get lost).Sarah AndersonSuzi BluJessica GriffinJan HenningsTerri SproulJulie RanaeConnie VogtUSAQ Blog ********************************************

Looking outside my window, I noticed all the beautiful flowers blooming. Flowers of all types with stunning colors!

My first project for the USArtQuest Design Team reflects my feelings about these picturesque flowers.

Draw and Gild is a wonderful kit that includes almost all the materials you will need for this project. The kit even comes in a tin that you can use to design on! While I love to draw, no drawing experience is necessary! Use your computer to print patterns to work with (The kit instructions give details on how to do this.). Not only can you use Duo Adhesive in the pen, but Mica Color Watercolors as well.

1. Following instructions in kit package, print a pattern of your choice using your computer. I drew an iris outline lightly with pencil and added the extra elements for my picture.

2. Paint the iris, background, and leaves, first with various colors with the Stargazer Mica Color Palette. To get the paint ready, dip your brush into water, and add to the color you are using. I either do this a couple times or use a water spritzer and spritz the color I want to use. Let the water absorb for at least 30-60 seconds, and then swirl your brush into the color. The consistency of the paint will be creamy and not watery. At that point the paint is ready to use. Optional: I like to mix colors to create new shades. While it is not necessary, it is fun to experiment. The center, empty well of the palette is made for this use.

3. Fill the reservoir of the Fine Line Pen with Duo Embellishing Adhesive. If you get a bubble, refer to the simple kit instructions that tell you how to remedy this. To get the flow of the adhesive started, tap the pen lightly on a scrap piece of paper. Follow your pattern and trace over your image. The Duo Adhesive is white when it is wet but when it is dried and ready, the adhesive is clear. As Sue says, " If it's white it's not right, if it's clear it adheres." Make sure all the areas are clear before you go to the next step.

4. Now to gild with Gildenglitz! I like to put my Gildenglitz into a plastic container so that it is easy to use and the container catches all the extra little bits and pieces (Called gilding fines.). Each kit contains a color of Sparkling Mica Powder Pigment. If you'd like to add a bit of the color before gilding, pick up some on a dry brush and tap onto the area you want. Pick out the colors of gilding you would like to use and apply to the surface. You will notice how it sticks to the clear, tacky areas where you drew adhesive with the liner pen. Take your texture sponge and start to brush off the mica powder, then pick up the card and tilt it into the container brushing and burnishing the surface. Like magic you see your image come to life with metallic shimmer that further accents the pearlized glimmer of the mica watercolors. Remove all the excess bits and polish your card using the Appliquate.

5. Cut out the flower image. Apply Great Tape to the back and mount it to the black Folia cardstock. Trim the black Folia cardstock. Mount the metallic paper to the back of the black Folia cardstock. Trim the paper if necessary.

What a great idea to put the gildenglitz into its own container! For years Ive just stuck my hand into the bag of gold leaf and never thought there would be a better way. *runs out to find perfect container now. Beautiful flowers xoxo

I'd like to thank everyone who posted a comment. I wanted to thank everyone personally; but didn't have an outlet to do so. Good luck on the chance of winning the Blog Hop, I just adore the Draw and Gild kit!!!

Susan, I noticed you are in Swansea, IL. I live in St. Louis. There was no posts for me to comment on your site but I'll come back to visit it soon. Lots going on in St. Louis to express your art (You probably know!) Thank you for your comments and good luck with the blog hop.

WOW--I'm amazed at all these projects! And that tool--I've seen it before (or something like it) for wax covered projects or designs on silk....it looks like it is easy to use and FUN! I love that;) TFS!

About Me

Teacher, designer,and consultant,through the hobby industry since 1988,I have enjoyed the opportunities to contribute and work for many phenominal companies. My spirit has been touched by so many creative students who join me on this infinite journey. Author of Creative Art Concepts for Papercrafts (C&T Publishing), my works can be seen in many books, magazines and online; Stampington publications - Memories and Digital - past issues of Somerset Gallery issues and Stamper's Sampler. Contributions to several books with art and instruction.